This man is on a mission to ban popcorn in movie theaters

Mike Shotton of the U.K. is seeking a ban on popcorn in cinemas due to its 'annoying smell and loud noise.'
(Photo: SWNS TV/Screenshot)

For many people, popcorn at the movies is as complementary as hotdogs and baseball or cotton candy and carnivals. For one man, however, popped kernels represent nothing but a nuisance that must be banned from multiplexes forever.

"Many of you know the pain of visiting the cinema, and having your enjoyment ruined by noise pollution," writes Mike Shotton of the United Kingdom in his official petition to ban popcorn. "I call on you now to stand with me, and tell cinema chains, the government and the world at large, that no longer are we prepared to let open mouthed grazers ruin our film viewing."

Shotton's impetus for starting the ban came after a viewing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" that he says was "ruined" because of the amount of munching going on.

“I love films, but I can’t get excited about going as much as I want to. I just can’t concentrate with people rustling and making noise," he told SWNS.com. "Popcorn is the main culprit. It needs to go.”

"Although it seems unlikely that any petition asking for a popcorn ban in cinemas would succeed (it is the main source of revenue for cinema chains), as the petition is on grounds of noise pollution, with enough signatures it would be officially looked at as an item for monitoring by the environmental health department," the defenders warn.

So what does all of this mean? We're not sure. For now, Shotton will continue to wage his war against popcorn by handing out leaflets in front of movie theaters in the U.K, arguing for the ban.

"In brief it's loud, it smells, it tastes of nothing, and shares a consistency with weakened polystyrene," he concludes. "Sign the petition now people, let's make it happen!!!"